PERJETA® combination Improves Response Rates

The FDA on September 30, 2013 approved PERJETA® for use in combination with HERCEPTIN® (Trastuzumab) and TAXOTERE® (Docetaxel) for the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early stage breast cancer. The accelerated approval by the FDA was based solely on the improved pCR rate with the three drug combination with no demonstrable improvement in event-free survival or overall survival. A confirmatory phase III trial is underway, with results expected in 2016. One would hope that the complete response rates would translate into improved survival. Stay tuned.